Prisoners seek medical attention for paper cuts

Taxpayers are footing the bill every time an inmate at the county jail sees a doctor. The Judiciary committee is considering a bill from Senator Rich Pahls of Omaha that would force inmates who can afford to, to pay a co-pay for their medical care. Correctional Officer Mary Earley backs the idea.

“Each individual incarcerated at Douglas County correctional center was seen by a medical provider an average of 14 times. A fair amount of these visits were unwarranted and sometime frivolous.”

She says some inmates want to see a doctor for a headache, cold, or even a paper cut.